Longswamp United Church of Christ Reader: The reading from John 15:9-11 tells us Jesus is the source of all
rom John 15:9-11 tells us Jesus is the source of all joy. Jesus
200 Clay Road, Mertztown, PA 19539 Phone 610-682-6230
E-Mail: longswampucc@windstream.net Web: www.longswampucc.org
Rev. Dr. Katherine Brearley, Pastor Ann Mabry Miller, Organist
December 19th, 2010 Fourth Sunday of Advent
10:15 AM WORSHIP
Christmas Fund Special Offering
(Busy Boxes are available for younger children. Please turn off cell phones. The symbol + indicates that
those who are able should stand. Words in BOLD are spoken or sung by the whole congregation.)
MUSICAL PRELUDE
WELCOME
ORGAN CHIMES
+OPENING HYMN ……………“Angels We Have Heard on High”………….……#152
+CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Come and celebrate our beautifully decorated chrismon tree.
People: Every symbol is handcrafted with love and joy, golden faith sparkling in
the winter night.
Pastor: The chrismon tree brings the devotion of earliest Christians together with our
own joyful hearts. It is a unique tradition shared with us by the Lutheran Church of the
Ascension in Danville Virginia.
People: But the Chrismon tree is complete only when those who see it under-
stand its meaning and feel its joy in their hearts.
Unison: White represents the purity and perfection of the Christ Child. Gold
represents the majesty and glory of the Lord Jesus. We gather to worship in His
pure and glorious name. Amen. (Please be seated)
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
Reader: We gather around the Advent wreath today full of joy that we are free to
worship Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as our personal Savior. We can express our faith
openly, and we are not afraid. We allow others to express a different faith, or to have
no faith. The founder of our state, William Penn, gave us this freedom.
People: We look at the chrismon in the shape of a fish, and we remember that
the Early Christians in Greece and Turkey had to use secret symbols. The Greek
word for “fish” gave the initial letters of the phrase: “Jesus Christ, son of God,
Savior.” This secret sign lead to secret places of worship, and joyful gatherings.
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speaks to his disciples, “I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love… I
have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Let us together confess that we need Jesus to help us live with real joy. Let us pray:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Unison: Eternal God, we thank you for the joy of old Rev. George Pass who
decided to make beautiful white and gold decorations for his church tree in
Virginia, even though it was war time. His joy was contagious, and we have
received it. We confess that all too often at this time of year we think about what
we don’t have. We feel disappointment. May the white and gold of the chrismons
remind us of the many things that bring us joy, and may we share our joy with
others. This prayer we offer in the Name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior.
Amen
Sung Response (tune: Stuttgart)
Come Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.
(Time of silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON and LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH CANDLE
Reader: In the Name of Jesus born in Bethlehem hear the Good News. Our sins are
forgiven. We light this candle to proclaim the angel’s message, “Behold I bring you
tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord.”
Sung Response as candle is lit.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
Pastor: The Peace of God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Please greet one another with words and/or signs of peace, remembering that not everyone wishes to shake hands.
BELL CHOIR ANTHEM: “One Night in Bethlehem” – arr. Linda R. Lamb
CHILDREN’S TIME
OLD TESTAMENT READING
Isaiah 9:2-7 (Pew Bible page 1072)
The people who walked in darkness will see a great light.
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GOSPEL READING
Matthew 1: 18-25 (Pew Bible page 1497)
The Birth of Jesus
MEDITATION: “Joy from Old Wrapping Paper and Ribbon”
HYMN ……………………“O Little Town of Bethlehem”……………………………#155
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER Unison: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy
kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and
forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever, Amen.
INVITATION FOR THE OFFERING
Our special Christmas Fund offering envelope today goes to support the elderly widows of UCC clergy
served small rural congregations.
+PARTING HYMN …………“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”………………..……#171
MUSICAL POSTLUDE:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to all who join us in worship as this community of God’s People today. We
welcome any visitors worshiping with us this day. We also request that any visitors
present also sign our Guest Register in the Narthex. If anyone is interested in joining
our church family, please contact the pastor.
There are Busy Boxes available for use by the “young and restless” located in the
bookcase in the narthex. Please replace them after the worship service. Thank you to
Jayne & Donald Siegfried for donating the boxes.
Today’s Altar Flowers and Worship Bulletins are presented to the Glory of God and
are in memory of Loved Ones by the Siegfried Family.

MUSICAL OFFERTORY “O Holy Night” – Dwight/Adam/Schrader The Loft Choir Attendance – December 5, 2010 - 100
Receipts: General - $1278.50 Maintenance - $437.00 OCPP - $101.50
+OFFERTORY RESPONSE - …………………………………………………….#150v3
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh, come, peasant, king to own him. Total Giving by Members - $1817.00
The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby; Our special thanks to Jill & Vern Shade for participating in the Lighting of the Advent
Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe the son of Mary. Wreath on this fourth Sunday in the season.

+OFFERTORY PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison) Altar Guild Members for the month of December are Artena Unger & Laurie Heagy.
We whose lives are filled with joy bring our offerings to the Christ Child. May
these gifts bring joy to others, and show that we care. In Jesus Name we pray, For parents with children up to and including age five a nursery is available in our
Amen. Christian Education Building.

+COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION If you are Hearing impaired please see a Greeter for an individual wireless receiver.
Pastor: Remember that Jesus was not born at this time of year. He was probably born
in March. But long ago Christians chose this time to celebrate His birth, chose this time Thank You to all who assisted with the beautiful decorating of the church for the
to defy the cold and the darkness, chose this time to celebrate love and joy. The light Advent and Christmas season.
of Jesus shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it. Depart in
peace. We invite you all to a time of fellowship and refreshment following the service,
hosted by the Friendship Discussion Hour Group. Please come and join us for
+ GLORIA ………………………………………………………………………#152 Refrain some light refreshments and fellowship in our multi-purpose room.
Glo………..ria in excelsis, Deo!
Glo………..ria in excelsis, Deo! If you are reading Scripture on Christmas Eve, please collect your scripture from
Pastor Kathy today.
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Participants in today’s service: Thank you to everyone who contributed a Secret Santa gift to Phoebe Home.
Greeters: Coralie & Weylin Eck Acolyte: MacKenzie Heagy One hundred gifts were delivered by Tammy and Courtney Moyer, and Pastor. On a
Head Usher: Audrey Tucker Reader: Kirby Heagy rainy day the rain stopped long enough for us to unload the gifts and all arrived safely.
Thank you for your participation.
Nursery Hosts: Jen & Autumn Bieber
Fellowship Hosts: Friendship Discussion Hour Group Thank you to Audrey Tucker and the Church School for telling us the story of Saint
Lighting of Advent Wreath: Jill & Vern Shade Nicholas last week. Santa brought a little gift for every member of Church School –
Scheduled for Christmas Eve: Thank you, Santa. Thank you, Church School, for the big birthday cake.
Greeters: 7:00pm: Jill & Vern Shade 11:00pm: Harold Dankel
Acolyte: 7:00pm: Keegan Weller 11:00pm: Weylin Eck If you volunteered to deliver a gift to our sick and shut-in members, please remember
Head Usher: 7:00pm: Bill Thomas 11:00pm: Jennifer Kressley to pick them up after worship services today. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
Preparers: Eddie Solt & Bob Friedly
Servers: 7pm: Bev & Bill Thomas 11pm: Harold Dankel & Jayne Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time at the Northeastern Berks Food
Siegfried Pantry in Kutztown. It was GREATLY appreciated.
Readers: 7:00pm: Alex Jenkins 11:00pm: Laurie Heagy
This Week at the Church:
Lighting of Advent Wreath: 7pm: Jenkins Family 11pm: Eck Family
Scheduled for next week - Dec. 26th: Today: Confirmation Classes; 9:00am - Church School; 10:15am - Worship: Christmas
Greeters: Still Available Acolyte: Julianna Cirafesi Fund Special Mission Offering
Head Usher: Andrew Thomas Reader: Still Available Monday: 6:30pm – Boy Scouts [cabin]; 6:30pm – Consistory/Elders
Nursery Hosts: Chris & Kayla Freudig Thursday: 7:30pm – Loft Choir
Fellowship Hosts: Still Available Friday: OFFICE CLOSED: Christmas Eve Worship: 7:00 and 11:00pm; Carols,
Candlelight and Communion
Members and Friends Prayer List: [As of Bulletin preparation time]
Saturday: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Recuperating: Sue McElrea, Grace Lantz, Artena Unger, Winfield Lease, Matthew
Next Sunday: 8:45am - Confirmation Classes; 9:00am - Church School; 10:15am -
Walbert, JoAnn Jones, Regina Lambert
Worship: Carol Sing
Active Members of Military: PFC Matthew Shade [USA], PFC Michael Xiques [USA]
Special: Beulah Harmony, Marlene Hamm, Jared Toth, Alayna Biltcliff, Olivia Remember to check the calendar outside the church office for any schedule changes -
Radcliffe, Bernice Bauer [Barbara Eck’s sister who is under Hospice Care], & Niki Ferrizzi but please do not change that calendar without the knowledge of the church staff.
[Friend of Coralie Eck diagnosed with cancer]
Shut-ins: Ida Gehringer, Ruth Hertzog, & Corinne Reppert [Lutheran Home, Topton], Ruth Please remember to drop off your Redner’s receipts and Radcliffe’s receipts in the
Romig [Lewisburg], Mary Conrad, Anna Delong, Beulah Harmony, Webster Heffner, marked boxes in the vestibule. This is a very easy way to assist your church.
Catherine Miller, Helen Schuler, & Doris Weller [at home]
The following items are needed next Sunday for the “Brandywine Food Pantry” they
Please give the Pastor a note on special prayer needs, and remember to notify the
are rice, canned meat, cookies, shampoo, and toothbrush.
church of any members hospitalized. Use our church codes for any hospital
admissions - Allentown Hospitals - 451; Reading – 80
Our next service of Holy Communion is Christmas Eve, both worship services. If you
wish to receive private Holy Communion, or if you have a family member who cannot
If you would like to sponsor Altar Flowers and/or Bulletins, please sign up on the come to church for Communion, please notify the Pastor.
charts in the Narthex.
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Congratulations to Kirby Heagy, Kyle Koller and Dale Loch who were elected to Teens & Parents - Start off the New Year on the right foot.
serve on the 2011 Consistory. They are joining a great team. “HELP!” – A Workshop for Teens and Parents on Dealing with Teen
Remember to invite your neighbors and friends to Christmas Eve Candlelight
Stress, a free community program, will be offered on Sunday evening, January 9,
from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at the Topton Volunteer Fire Hall, 600 State Street, Mertztown,
worship & Holy Communion 7pm and 11pm.
PA. It includes a free spaghetti dinner served from 6-6:30pm by the Ladies Auxiliary.
Wreaths of live greens found on the exterior of the sanctuary’s main entrance doors This program is open to youth and adults interested in talking about the kinds of
have been presented by the Men’s & Women’s Group in memory of the following stressors today’s teens are dealing with and exploring what we can do about it. For
members of our church family who entered into eternal rest this past year: more information, please call Diakon Family Life Services at 610-682-1337 or 1-888-
Robert R. Piatt, Jr. Frances “Mickey” Sicher Earl H. Weller 499-2699 (toll free). If you would like to donate spaghetti, sauce or bread please speak
to Pastor Kathy. The Ladies Auxiliary will cook the meal. This is a project of the
Thomas P. Hilt Marjorie “Betty” Mabry Max. J. Bleiler
Brandywine Ecumenical Ministerium in response to concerns about teens needing
Jocelyn F. Fenstermacher Anna E. George Carlson R. Kutz help.
Ernest G. Conrad
Please note: Anyone hosting fellowship or other after church activities, is asked to Your Church Staff and Information:
please make sure that the church or Christian Ed building is locked, windows are Rev. Dr. Katherine Brearley. Pastor 610-295-9599
closed, and lights turned off before leaving. Thank you. E-mail: longswamppastor@windstream.net
Dawn Strunk, Church Secretary 610 682-0802
Church Family Notes: Ann Mabry Miller, Organist 610 966-3160
Happy Birthday: Happy Anniversary: Vern Shade, Bell Choir Director 610 395-0970
Dec. 19 – Allison Hengst 12/21/2004 Nicole & Robert Wessner III Beverly Thomas, Learning Center Director 610 682-9750
Dec. 20 – Willard Miller 12/24/1966 Gail & Fran Zettlemoyer Ron Newhard, Sexton 610 966-4298
Dec. 21 – Pamela Dierolf, Jacob Leamer
Your Consistory and Church Officers:
th st
The Church Office will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24 , and Friday, Dec. 31 . If William Thomas, President [Elder] Coralie Eck
you need to contact Pastor Kathy you can leave a message at 610 295-9599. Any Jennifer Kressley, Vice President Kimberly Jenkins
messages for the church staff should be left on the church answering machine.
Andrew Thomas, Secretary Timothy Masenheimer
The 2011 Offering Envelope Sets are available for you to pick up on the table by the Robert Friedly, Treasurer [Elder] Audrey Tucker
bell. At all times, please remember to inform the church office of any address changes
in order that your membership and mailing records will be accurate.

The Brandywine Heights High School Music Department presents their annual Have a Blessed Christmas and our prayers for a successful New Year.
Festival of Carols for the general public today, Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 3pm.
All tickets are reserved seat and can be purchased at the door for $4. From Your Staff and Leadership.

If you will be traveling over this holiday season please do so with care and return to us
safely. Should you have relatives or friends visiting we would welcome them with us
for worship.